Large natural avalanche in Sunlight Basin

Sunlight Basin
Southern Madison
Code
SS-Nu-R2-D2.5-O
Elevation
9000
Aspect
N
Latitude
44.97310
Longitude
-111.31000
Notes

This natural avalanche likely released during or immediately after the storm on March 20 that dropped almost a foot of new snow. Wind-loading caused the slab over the weak faceted snow to break 500 feet wide.

Number of slides
1
Number caught
0
Number buried
0
Avalanche Type
Soft slab avalanche
Trigger
Natural trigger
Trigger Modifier
u-An unintentional release
R size
2
D size
2.5
Bed Surface
O - Old snow
Problem Type
Persistent Weak Layer
Slab Thickness
100.0 centimeters
Vertical Fall
500ft
Slab Width
500.00ft
Weak Layer Grain type
Faceted Crystals
Slab Thickness units
centimeters
Single / Multiple / Red Flag
Single Avalanche
Advisory Year